39 Circumcision in Sudan 1977
Circumcision was a common practice in 1977 Sudan. This narrative is derived from secondhand descriptions of Sudanese colleagues and longterm residents. I never myself witnessed any of these events. Circumcision is applied to both male and female genitalia.
Male circumcision is practiced throughout the Muslim part of Sudan as required in the Koran. In Sudan boys will have their foreskin (or hamusa) cut off in a ritual ceremony in public. This rite of passage occurs when boys reach the age (5-6) varying from community to community.
One of my student informants tells me that in his community, the process takes place at about 5 years of age. The ritual takes involves many guests; the boy stands on a table in full view. Women ululate (high pitched joyful wailing) to honor the boy. An elder pulls the foreskin (hamusa) forward beyond the end of the penis and removes it with a knife. The process takes less than a minute. The boy stands during the surgery and is expected not to express the pain. (Should he cry he, will be shamed by his peers long afterward.) The hamusa is given to his grandmother who has a collection of the small dried up circles on a necklace that she wears in honor her grandsons. The lady with the most hamusas is regarded with highest esteem in the village.
An elderly women in the village takes on the task or removing the hamusa.
Female circumcision is practiced in a large part of the Sudan, but is not condoned by the Koran. Although it has been banned by Sudanese law, the practice continues and is now performed by the elder women in the family rather than by a surgeon. Because it is no longer allowed as a medical practice the incidence of tetanus or other infections has increased with respect to this operation.
Female circumcision is perceived as a means of maintaining the chastity of girls. The purpose of the sex act is for reproduction and not for pleasure.
Sometimes the act is done when the young girl is first noticed to be exploring her genitalia. The age varies from family to family and the community. Normally the clitoris (or part of it) is removed as well as the labia.
When infibulation has been performed, it is expected that the husband on the wedding night will break open the restricted vagina with the sex act, producing much bleeding and agony. She is then taken to a physician who will surgically open the new wife’s vagina in a more professional and sanitary way. It may be months before the couple will be able to perform sex.
Sudanese Marriage
Many Arab marriages are arranged by their parents. One of my students knew who he was to marry when he was six years old. Their fathers were good friends and wanted to further solidify their relationship, He and his future wife played together as children but when they reached puberty they were separated never to see each other until their wedding day.
My student invited me to his wedding, which was coming up in about a week. I asked, “This is rather sud